Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

Poisoning from an overdose of hydrofluoric acid, a strong inorganic acid.

Hydrofluoric acid

This acid is most commonly used for industrial purposes. It is used:

• in glass etching
• to make computer screens
• in fluorescent bulbs
• to make high octane gasoline
• in some household rust removers

From swallowing: 

• Severe pain in the mouth
• Fever
• Inability to breathe as the throat swells shut
• Severe throat pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Ventricular fibrillation

From breathing in (inhaling) the acid:

• Chills
• Fever
• Tight chest
• Coughing
• Fluid in the lungs
• Choking
• Bluish colored lips and fingernails

If the person swallowed the acid, DO NOT MAKE THEM VOMIT.

If the acid is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Immediately take the person to the hospital.

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

If you suspect possible poisoning, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Call 1-800-222-1222 anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take any containers with you to the emergency room, if possible.

Patients will be given medications to treat their symptoms. Those who swallowed the poison may also be given fluids or milk of magnesia.

How well a patient does depends on how rapidly the acid was watered down (diluted) and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach is possible.  Patients who breath in the acid usually recover in about 10 to 30 days.

Chemical Emergencies: Case Definition: Hydrofluoric Acid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2005.

Seamens CM, Seger DL, Meredith T. Hydrofluoric acid. In: Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T, eds. Clinical toxicology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001:1019-26.